National Football League

Falcons: Hawley, Holmes out for season, Moore out at least seven games

Published Sep. 30, 2014 4:00 p.m. ET

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ATLANTA -- After an injury-plagued, four-win season a year ago, the Atlanta Falcons had hoped to avoid mass injuries among the starters in 2014. Four weeks into the season, those hopes have been shattered.

The team announced on Tuesday that center Joe Hawley and offensive tackle Lamar Holmes have been placed on injured reserve, ending their season.

Both players were injured in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Hawley was carted off the field in obvious pain and dismay with a knee injury. Holmes exited the game with a foot injury.

The Falcons sent another starter to the injured list on Tuesday, as well. Strong safety William Moore was placed on injured reserve-designated to return. He was removed from Sunday's game with a shoulder injury.

Moore, if he's physically able, can return to practice with Falcons in Week 11 (Nov. 16), but won't be eligible to play until Week 13 (Nov. 30) when Atlanta hosts the Arizona Cardinals.

The Falcons were already playing without starting linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who was lost for the season prior to training camp with an Achilles injury. Sam Baker tore the patellar tendon in his right knee on Aug. 16, and was placed on injured reserve two days later.

Losing Moore, Hawley and Holmes brings the tally to five starters lost in 2014, and means the team is now in scramble mode.

To replace the two offensive linemen, Atlanta signed free agent Cameron Bradfield, and moved Harland Gunn from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Gunn has been with the Falcons since 2012, mostly on their practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for three games last season at the end of the year, and was used as a backup right guard. He participated in a total of 96 plays in 2013 and gave up three quarterback hurries and one hit. But two of those games came against the 49ers and Panthers, two teams with superb attacking defenses.

In his limited action, Gunn has been better at run blocking than in pass protection.

Bradfield played four seasons in Jacksonville before he was released after two games this season. In those two starts at right tackle, Bradfield was abused in pass protection. He gave up one sack and two hurries in Week 1 against the Eagles, and two sacks, one quarterback hit and two hurries in Week 2 against the Redskins.

According to Pro Football Focus, Bradfield ranks 88th out of 95 offensive tackles this season in pass blocking efficiency.

Moving forward, the Falcons' offensive line could look like this: Jake Matthews at left tackle, Justin Blalock at left guard, Peter Konz at center, Jon Asamoah at right guard and Gabe Carimi at right tackle. But that's assuming Blalock, who left Sunday's game with a back injury, is healthy.

If Blalock can't play this Sunday against the New York Giants, Gunn may immediately step in at left guard. That would make only two starters along the offensive line that remain from the five that were entrenched when the season began. If Carimi can't stay healthy, or is needed elsewhere on the line, Bradfield could step in.

There are a number of question marks surrounding this offensive line. The Falcons will be extremely busy this week putting pieces together.

Atlanta also added safety Sean Baker to the 53-man roster from its practice squad. Baker was on Tampa Bay's practice squad in 2012 before signing with Atlanta in 2013. He was promoted to the active roster for the final game of the season, but did not enter the game.

Kemal Ishmael, who dealt with injuries in the Minnesota game too, could move into Moore's spot as the starting strong safety, if he's healthy enough to do so. There's also a chance the Falcons might look at third-round pick Dezmen Southward. In two games, Southward has played 19 snaps this season, but all at free safety.

To fill the open spots, Atlanta also added safety Kimario McFadden and guard Adam Replogle to its practice squad on Tuesday.

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